This series of learning modules is designed for adaptation in an introductory Earth science or planetary science course. The modules actively engage students through Mars remote-sensing data and Earth-based analogs to understanding Mars geology....(View More) Interviews with planetary scientists and geologists present current issues in planetary sciences.(View Less)

In this lesson, students participate in a skit presenting a mock-up of a planetary surface rover they designed. Students will be able to: demonstrate their knowledge of Mars and rovers by presenting their team skit; present their rover, its...(View More) requirements and features to the class; answer questions asked by the class based on research conducted during the unit; incorporate feedback from others and ideas from other presentations into student work. The lesson plan has a number of appendices, including: standards alignment, essential question, and exit ticket. This is Lesson 15 of the middle school version of the 6-week Mars Rover Celebration curriculum.(View Less)

In this lesson, students participate in a skit presenting a mock-up of a planetary surface rover they designed. Students will be able to: demonstrate their knowledge of Mars and rovers by presenting their team skit; present their rover, its...(View More) requirements and features to the class; answer questions asked by the class based on research conducted during the unit; incorporate feedback from others and ideas from other presentations into student work. The lesson plan has a number of appendices, including: standards alignment, essential question, and exit ticket. This is Lesson 15 of the elementary school version of the 6-week Mars Rover Celebration curriculum.(View Less)

In this lesson, students will design a planetary surface rover to conduct a planetary surface investigation. It uses the 5E learning cycle and is designed around an essential question: How will creating a prototype of your rover help you prepare for...(View More) the Mars Rover Celebration? The lesson objectives are to: learn about scientific careers to gain a better understanding of a sampling of careers that have contributed to designing and developing Curiosity; draw a detailed, final-design sketch/diagram of the rover that will be built; identify missions, requirements and features of the rover using labels and captions when necessary. A number of appendices are provided, including standards alignment. This is Lesson 12 of the elementary school version of the 6-week Mars Rover Celebration curriculum.(View Less)

In this lesson, students will design a planetary surface rover to conduct a planetary surface investigation. It uses the 5E learning cycle and is designed around an essential question: How will creating a prototype of your rover help you prepare for...(View More) the Mars Rover Celebration? The lesson objectives are to: learn about scientific careers to gain a better understanding of a sampling of careers that have contributed to designing and developing Curiosity; draw a detailed, final-design sketch/diagram of the rover that will be built; identify missions, requirements and features of the rover using labels and captions when necessary. A number of appendices are provided, including standards alignment. This is Lesson 12 of the middle school version of the 6-week Mars Rover Celebration curriculum.(View Less)

This lesson plan uses the 5E learning cycle and is designed around an essential question: Why is the method you chose for landing your Rover on Mars the best one for your mission? The lesson objectives include: examine different methods for landing...(View More) rovers on Mars; determine which landing strategy is best suited to land the team's rover; research solutions to different problems that may occur once the rover lands on Mars; learn how to write in a persuasive manner; and present a well-written persuasive argument to teammates. The lesson plan has a number of appendices, including standards alignment. This is Lesson 10 of the middle school version of the 6-week Mars Rover Celebration curriculum.(View Less)

Developed as a planetarium show, this video describes the unique environment of our solar system planets and a few satellites, along with some of the challenges and possible solutions for potential human habitation on each. Two versions of the video...(View More) are available through links on the site - a kids version (18 minutes, suitable for grades 2-5) and a more advanced version (22 minutes, designed for middle/high school). Both are applicable to school and/or general audiences. Information on purchasing the DVD's in both English and Spanish for large audience presentations is included.(View Less)

This lesson plan teaches how to select the landing site for a planetary surface investigation, using the 5E learning cycle. Students will be able to determine a landing site for their Mars rover; work with their team to summarize information and...(View More) identify important details in non-fiction writing; research Gale Crater through an online interactive module; use Google Earth Mars to learn about Mars surface features; gather and analyze data to conduct a scientific experiment; collect and record data in a science notebook to draw logical and scientific conclusions; define and identify the role of controls and variables in teams' scientific or technical questions; and differentiate between weather and climate. The lesson plan has a number of appendices, including standards alignment. This is Lesson 8 of the elementary school version of the 6 week Mars Rover Celebration curriculum.(View Less)

This lesson plan uses the 5E learning cycle and is designed around an essential question: How do I know when I’ve found important information in my reading? Learning objectives include: identify important details in informational texts; learn and...(View More) or review summarizing skills, work collaboratively to locate important information about Mars such as terrain, climate, and atmosphere; understand the rationale and importance of note-taking; develop effective note-taking strategies; and apply note-taking skills to record key information in students' science notebooks. The lesson plan has a number of appendices, including standards alignment. This is Lesson 4 of the elementary school version of the 6-week Mars Rover Celebration curriculum.(View Less)

This lesson plan uses the 5E learning cycle and is designed around an essential question: Why is the method you chose for landing your Rover on Mars the best one for your mission? The lesson objectives include: examine different methods for landing...(View More) rovers on Mars; determine which landing strategy is best suited to land the team's rover; research solutions to different problems that may occur once the rover lands on Mars; learn how to write in a persuasive manner; and present a well-written persuasive argument to teammates. The lesson plan has a number of appendices, including standards alignment. This is Lesson 10 of the elementary school version of the 6-week Mars Rover Celebration curriculum.(View Less)